Wearables and Activity

Title : Wearables and Activity

Abstract:

Introduction/Purpose: Activity trackers monitor activity and health which can track progress in activity within the chronic disease population. The purpose of this study was to validate the step counts of Apple Watch and compare wrist-, hip- and ankle- worn Actigraphs during overground and treadmill walking at different walking intensities using video monitoring of participants with manual counting of steps as a reference.

Methods: Apple Watch and wrist-, hip- and ankle- worn Actigraphs were used for this study. Participants walked on a set track on a flat, overground surface to mimic free-living conditions. Verbal instructions were provided to walk at three different stages (slow, moderate, fast). Subsequently, participants completed a 3-stage treadmill protocol using the calculated average velocity/stage from overground walking. Both conditions were recorded using a Canon VIXIA HF500 camcorder to observe the steps.

Results: Apple Watch, compared to Actigraphs, had the lowest errors (absolute: -2.32, -8.95, and -20.00 steps; relative: -1%, -2% and -5%) during overground walking for all stages, and (absolute: -3.35 and -2.25 steps; relative: -1% and -1%) on the treadmill protocol for the moderate and fast stages.

Conclusion: Apple Watch was an extremely accurate and credible consumer device that can be used by the general population for activity monitoring during overground and treadmill walking. Our study demonstrated the equivalence of step counts during overground and treadmill walking.

Biography:

Dr. Praveen Veerabhadrappa (Dr. V) is passionate about research, innovation and inspiring the next generation of leaders (students) to further scientific research. Dr. Veerabhadrappa considers his most important work to be on the longterm effects of exercise training on the cardio-metabolic risk factors, prevalence of masked hypertension and blood pressure variability, which has earned international recognition. Currently, his research focuses on incorporating wearable technology to enhance physical activity and improve health. Dr. Veerabhadrappa’s research group studies the cardio-metabolic effects of sedentary behavior using novel devices such as Actigraph, Fitbit, Vibralite and Apple Watch. His research students have presented their research at local, regional and national professional conferences. Dr. Veerabhadrappa is also recognized internationally with many awards. He has published 35 manuscripts and more than 60 abstracts in peer-reviewed journals. He serves on the editorial board and as a peer-reviewer for many high-impact journals in science and medicine, and is the founding member of the New Investigator Network of The International Society of Hypertension. Dr. Veerabhadrappa has organized and moderated many national and international symposia, liaising with the American Heart Association and the European Society of Hypertension.